Achieved impacts

The BEIGUA LIFE Project focused on the development and implementation of six management plans, one for each of the priority habitat types present at the site, to safeguard and restore these endangered habitats located right outside of Genova. Several activities of soil rehabilitation were carried out through planting native species and keeping under control invasive plant species. An awareness raising campaign was held to involve local communities as well (1).

In light of the LIFE P.A.R.C. project, the NBS here presented consisted in the restoration of the fluvial and ecological continuity of the Magra and Vara rivers in the Montemarcello-Magra Regional Natural Park. The intervention implemented the removal of artificial barriers blocking the water continuity currently affecting biodiversity conservation. In the meantime, several activities implemented focused on restoring the area along the stream with the creation of walking paths and the use of signs to spread environmental awareness about the key habitat provision services of the area (1).

Neptune Grass or Mediterranean tapeweed (Posidonia oceanica) is endemic to the Mediterranean Sea. This priority seagrass species forms large underwater meadows that are an important part of the marine ecosystem. However, there have been declines in its population due to mechanical damage, coastal development and eutrophication.
The main objective of the intervention was to safeguard and to restore 2 Natura 2000 network sites for the conservation of P.oceanica habitat in the Lazio region(1), being the NBS intervention the restoration/protection of the underwater meadows and the improvement of the awareness/importance of this marine habitat type, a priority for conservation(EU Habitats Directive).

The oasis is one of the favourite destinations especially by naturalist photographers of the region, thanks to the presence of numerous animal and plant species. The oasis covers an area of about 20 hectares, is part of a SIC and ZPS area of 40 hectares and its management has been entrusted to the Noale WWF Cave Oasis Committee. It used to be a clay extraction area that got abandoned for several years. It was restored to create a new wild habitat that the local government declared a protected area (1, 2 and 4).

The primary goal and function of the 29,000 square metres large park in Győr-Adyváros is to provide an accessible, modern sports park for all ages (Reference 6). Before the intervention, the area was a green public park, but the renovation added many sports facilities such as running tracks and water fountains along with the existing urban nature (Reference 1). New plants were added to the existing old trees and a Photinia hedge was planted around the park, which is rare in public spaces (Reference 6). A fence has also been added. As part of the intervention, three football pitches, a basketball court, a running track, a playground, a park for retired people and a building serving the fitness park were also implemented. In 2016, an outdoor gym was added to the park, co-financed between the municipality of Győr and Audi Hungaria (Reference 3).

Bog Meadows is the last surviving remnants of the river Blackstaff's floodplain, which originally extended over 1,000 acres (Ref 3). This is an urban oasis composed of a mosaic of wetland, meadows, ponds, woodland, shrubs, and stream (Ref 1). It situated at the heart of Belfast City and is the last large area of the Blackstaff floodplain that has not been developed. The area is an important site for both breeding and overwintering birds(Ref 3). The Bog Meadows Enhancement Project aimed to improve the access, grazing infrastructure, and overall appearance of the site. It was hoped that cattle grazing will encourage wildflowers to attract insects, birds etc. (Ref 2).

A government funding scheme was announced to benefit urban areas with few green spaces. (2) After extensive consultation with local residents, trees were chosen to minimise shade and leaf litter. White Rose Residents Association won a competition against ten other bids from around West Yorkshire to secure a £10,000 grant for the trees. The Government fund provided to the Cardinals White Rose Residents Association was used to buy and plant 15 mature trees, which were picked for their year-round colour. (1)

The Forest of Belfast is an imaginative label for urban tree initiative launched in the 1990s with the aim of conserving and managing existing trees, increasing the planting of suitable trees, particularly in places of public access like parks, and in promoting an interest in and an appreciation of trees and forestry(Ref 3). The project was officially launched in June 1992 (Ref 1). It is active throughout the urban area of Greater Belfast, including Belfast City. It brings together partners from the statutory sector, voluntary groups, businesses, and individual residents who become volunteer Tree Wardens. It shows how urban forestry can forge partnerships between central and local government, environmental organizations and city dwellers. (Ref 1). Forest of Belfast initiative was wound up towards the end of 2010 (Ref 6).

The project was part of a series of development projects which addressed the water management issues of the city. (Reference 1) The rehabilitation of a lake in the Adyváros neighbourhood included the renewal of the water reservoir, surrounding green areas, footpaths, and vegetation, as well as the installation of a new street light system, benches, trash cans, and unique street installations such as an interactive message board. (Reference 2) The interventions transformed the lake and its surroundings into a popular recreational area, frequented by locals. Since the completion of the project in 2014, there have been minor developments to the lake and its area, such as the renovation of the playground. (Reference 4) Apart from Adyváros, several other lakes were rehabilitated in several neighbourhoods (Adyváros, Győr-Szabadhegy, Marcalváros). (Reference 6)

Győr and its surroundings boast many rivers, streams and lakes, and experiences intense flooding almost every year. The main goal of Nagy-Pándzsa project was to reduce the risk of flood and to regenerate the Nature 2000 area (Reference 7). Due to the reconstruction of the water transporting feature and the reconstruction of the flood-gate, the flood protection could improve and the pollution of waters could decrease. Therefore, the conditions of flora and fauna of waters improved and the size of the utilizable area increased (Reference 8).